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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-05 WS• CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES November 19, 2005 Present: Mayor Bob Johnson, Council Members David Luick, Laurie Rieb, Mark Bellows, Wendy Wulff, City Administrator Steve Mielke, Finance Director Dennis Feller, Police Chief Steve Strachan, Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson, and Liquor Operations Manager Brenda Visnovec. Item No. 1: Police Department Space Needs Study. A space needs study has been completed for the purpose of determining what the Police Department requirements will be in the next 15 to 20 years. Police Chief Steve Strachan thanked the building committee and introduced Michael Cox from Wold Architects, who distributed additional information to the Council. Anticipated city growth was studied as well as how the Police Dept. will best be able to accommodate that growth, with either the existing site or a new site. The Public Safety Committee assisted in analyzing and comparing options for current and future operations. The project was looked at in two phases -what spaces were needed right away and what spaces would be possible to add later. With the City's population expected to grow to over 100,000 police staff is expected to eventually consist of over 100 employees. The study anticipates the building • needs for the long-term build-out of the City and the growth of the Police staff. A total space need of 93,000 square feet, including evidence and vehicle storage, is estimated. The existing 17,000 square foot facility consists of very little space for storage of vehicles. The total non-vehicle space needed is estimated to be approximately 40,000 square feet. Some areas would be easier to expand than others, making the aspects that are not so easy to add onto more of a priority for the first phase. This would take care of current deficiencies and better protect the city's investment in the highly technical police vehicles. Some other amenities that were identified as °wants" included a larger holding area, dedicated training room, fitness area, and a dog kennel for the Police canine. The existing building and site were studied to see if/how they could be expanded with the current infrastructure. Exterior and interior conditions, and parking, are in good condition. Electrical and mechanical systems are key components to consider when looking at whether or not to add on to the building. Although it is serviceable, the heating/cooling system is not the most efficient. The Police Department should be at an easy to find central location where the most visible City services connect this large area as one community. The site itself was also looked at including parking and setbacks from the adjoining residential area. Parking . requirements were estimated at 141 spaces, for which park of the Fire Station parking might be shared. City Council Work Session November 19, 2005 Page -2- The current site is 2.7 acres, however the architects believes that seven acres would be needed in order to build the facility to accommodate future growth and full build-out. For this reason, the building committee is recommending that a search for a new site be explored in order to provide for all of the amenities proposed, and in order to not compromise the building. During the design and construction process the current building would remain in operation. The facility size is based on projected Lakeville population of 80,000 to 90,000. Council Member Luick asked if the current facility could potentially be used for any portion of the operations, such as a holding facility. Holding cells and jail space options were discussed. A jointly-owned and operated holding facility is being discussed as part of a Public Safety support center for the county. Construction of such a facility in conjunction with the joint dispatch center would affect decisions regarding the future of the police station. City Administrator Mielke added that in some larger cities there is more than one station.. It might be feasible to have a station on the north side and one on the south side that would function together. There may be other issues to consider with two facilities, such as staffing, communications, etc. Chief Strachan stated that there is much growth on the west end of the city, so that might be a feasible location, however, there has not been significant discussion on the location yet. Cost estimates were discussed. The value of the current 17,000. square foot facility is approximately $900,000. Council Member Bellows feels that a remodeling of the current station would not produce the desired outcome. Mayor Johnson would like to look at any possible options for use of the current facility. The cost estimates for building a new facility do not include the purchase of land. Seven acres of land at today's prices would be approximately $700,000. Some of this could be funded by the sale of the current facility, if it was sold. Construction would be phased, so only what is needed for approximately the next 15 years would be built now, and then the building and parking would be expanded when it is appropriate. Council directed staff to refine the plans and bring the item back to Council for another work session. Council Members should address any questions to Chief Strachan, which he will be prepared to answer at the upcoming work session. Item No. 2: Senior Housing Project Update. Staff informed City Council that the projected developers for the proposed senior housing project have yet to contact the City for discussion of the project due to their inability to negotiate a contract thus far with the proposed landowner. Therefore, no additional information is available at this time. • City Counci/ Work Session November 19, 2005 Page -3- Item No. 3: Eureka Township Annexation Update. Community & Economic Development Director Dave Olson reviewed with the Council the negotiations to date on the proposed orderly annexation agreement with Eureka Township for the 96-acre Hat Trick Development parcel. Eureka Township has responded to the City of Lakeville's proposal and requested additional considerations as part of the annexation agreement. Mr. Olson outlined a proposed staff response to each of the points, asking for direction from the Council. The City Council directed staff to forward the proposed reply to Eureka Township's attorney for their review and response. Item No. 4: Commissions and Committees Policies and Vacancies. Council Members received a memo regarding vacancies on various committees and commissions. There are currently two openings on the Arts Center Board, one on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee, and one on the Planning Commission. City Administrator Mielke informed the Council that contrary to popular belief, only the Park Board requires residency for members. Mielke requested guidance from the Council • as to whether to begin the process of updating ordinances and bylaws to require residency on the various boards and commissions. After discussion, the City Council indicated that they would provide preference to Lakeville residents in most cases, with the exception of appointees representing the various school districts on the Telecommunications Commission. Counci/ Directed Mie/ke to deve%p a po/icy statement re/ative to residency requirements for membership on the various boards and commissions and to bring it back for Counci/ consideration, Counci/ a/so directed staff to advertise for app/icants and set a work session to interview candidates Item No. 5: Elected Officials Travel Policy. Assistant to City Administrator Brian Anderson discussed the recent Legislative action requiring all elected bodies to adopt a policy on travel outside the state of Minnesota. This policy must be in place by January 1, 2006. Mr. Anderson presented a draft policy to the City Council for consideration. Counci/reviewed the document and directed Mr, Anderson to p/ace the po/icy on an upcoming Counci/agenda for adoption, C7 City Council Work Session November i9, 2005 • Item No. 6: Liquor Strategic Plan. Page -4- The City has analyzed the liquor stores in regard to areas of population growth. The primary recommendation will be to focus to the east and the northeast areas of the city. The next phase, or secondary recommendation, will be to open a store near the I-35/CR 70 interchange area, with a goal of attracting south-bound traffic. Liquor Manager Brenda Visnovec expects that the growth of Credit River Township and property to the west would make a new liquor store on the west side of the freeway easier to access with greater profitability. The primary objective is to find a store location in the northeast quadrant of Lakeville to capture traffic from neighboring communities. Store # 3 on Cedar and 162nd Street is very profitable but is too small to meet the needs in the area. Access and visibility are key factors. The City owns a 2.5 acre piece of property off Galaxie Avenue, near Pahl's Market and Valley Lake which was purchased with park dedication funds. Staff is looking at using liquor funds to transfer this property from the Park Dept. to the Liquor Dept. Those funds could then be used to complete the Valley Lake Park master plan. The City would benefit by owning, not leasing, a 10,000 square foot facility, as well as building out the park for the neighborhood. From an economic development standpoint the location would provide access from a signalized intersection at Galaxy. Steve Michaud discussed the Valley Lake Park master plan, approved by Council several years ago. The beach, which was .planned to be moved across the lake, is currently not staffed with lifeguards. Amuch-needed park shelter with restrooms could be funded. City Administrator Steve Mielke stated that a critical issue is the County's proposed half- mile spacing regulations, which will eventually alter some current intersections to right- in/right-out. The .City is working with the County to enact quarter-mile standards. If this site is chosen for the next liquor store, the properly would need to be rezoned prior to approval, necessitating some neighborhood informational meetings. Mayor Johnson feels the signaled intersection is a critical issue and would support the easterly site. Council Member Rieb agreed. Steve Mielke feels the site meets a public need for the legal sale of alcohol and the public purpose of enhancing the park. Mayor Johnson also feels a significant factor is the amount of revenue the liquor stores have generated for public buildings. Council Member Luick suggested that store #3 at 162nd Street stay open temporarily. while customers become familiar with the new location. Council Member Bellows suggested that other recreational uses for the proposed site be discussed at the neighborhood meetings. In summary, the Strategic P/an ca//s for securing abetter /ocation for Store #3, which has become too sma//, and securing a site for afuture /ocation at the County Road 70 intersection, Counci/requested that the remainder of the • winter be used by staff for the pub/ic process of ho/ding neighborhood meetings and working with an architect. City Council Work Session November 19, 2005 Page -S- Item No. 7: Tour of Central Maintenance Facility. Council members were provided with a tour of the Central Maintenance Facility. Item No. 8: Other Business. City Administrator Mielke informed the Council that he was continuing to seek and review proposals from both KPAC and other potential providers of an athletic facility on the City- owned property at 185t" Street and Dodd. He indicated information would be provided to the Council as it becomes available. City Administrator Mielke informed the Council that Jerry Tongen was moving his business to the PetroMart building on Lakeville Boulevard. As part of the review of this move, the Planning Commission voted to deny Tongen's Conditional Use Permit application. Mielke informed the Council that the denial and the issue would be brought to the City Council at an upcoming meeting for consideration. Item No. 8 Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Steven C. Mielke, City Administrator